Nairobi City Stars hit log leaders Tusker FC 1-0 at their own backyard in Ruaraka on Friday 30 July 2021 during a round 29 Betking Premier League game to snap a three-game winless run.
Odera got to the end of a perfect Timothy Noor Ouma pass in the 53rd minute to steal right back Eric Ambunya’s short header towards keeper Emery Mvuyekure to fire a slow ball that went all the way past the line.
With the win, Simba wa Nairobi shot up from the ninth spot to fifth with a new haul of 41 points. Despite the loss, Tusker stays top with 55 points.
Next up for City Stars is a round 30 clash against AFC Leopards at the same Ruaraka grounds starting 3.15 pm.
Lineups
Tusker: 20. Emery Mvuyekure (GK), 26. Erick Ambunya, 23. Sammy Miseh (Hillary Wandera-56), 40. Eugene Asike (Captain), 15. Rodgers Aloro, 30. Humphrey Mieno, 4. Apollo Otieno (14. Faraj Ominde-68), 16. Jackson Macharia (25. Kevin Okoth-56), 12. Cristopher Ochieng (7. Erick Zakayo-56), 17. Chrispinus Onyango (24. Luke Namanda-56), 21. Brian Marita
Unused subs: 29. Michael Wanjala, 2. Vincent Ngesa, 19. Jimmy Mbugua, 5. Michael Madoya
Coach: Robert Matano
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu, 22. Wyclife Otieno, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Bolton Omwenga, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 30. Anthony Kimani (Captain), 20. Timothy Ouma, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (3. Charles Otieno-89) , 32. Ezekiel Odera (28. Herit Mungai-79) 11. Davis Agesa (24. Erick Ombija-73),
Unsused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. John Kamau, 9. Vincent Okoth
Coach: John Amboko
Yellow cards
Tusker: 15. Rodgers Aloro (55), 17. Chrispinus Onyango (57), Kevin Okoth (86), Nairobi City Stars: 32. Ezekiel Odera (59), 22. Wycliffe Otieno (69), 23. Steve Njunge (71)
Midfielder Timothy Ouma celebrates with scorer Ezekiel Odera celebrates a 53rd minute goal that handed Nairobi City Stars a 1-0 win over Tusker on Fri 30 July 2021 in Ruaraka
Bidco United came out tops with a 2-1 win over home team Nairobi City Stars in a temper-filled round 28 Premier league affair at Ruaraka on Monday 26 July 2021.
Goals by David Orem goal at the near post with two minutes left to the half-hour mark and a blast by former City Stars boy David Gateri four minutes past the hour mark handed Bidco United a 2-0 cushion in the game.
But all effort thereafter by Simba wa Nairobi did not yield another goal leaving Bidco to carry the day.
The game was to end with three red cards splashed to Bidco coach Anthony Akhulia, and to City Stars stopper Salim Abdalla and Bidco left-back Lambert Oyuga after a brawl.
Despite the loss, City Stars remains ninth on the log with 38 points with Bidco back at eleventh but with an improved haul of 35 points.
— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) July 26, 2021
Bidco United: 1. Omar Adisa, 6. Kassim Mwinyi, 12. Lambert Oyuga, 24. Antony Simasi, 27. Collins Okumu, 31. Peter Nzuki, 7. Alex Juma (20. Nelson Chieta-86), 30. Anthony Gathu (Captain), 28. Eric Gichimu (8. Steven Okiro-86), 19. David Orem, 25. David Gateri (11. Batts Awita-86)
Unused subs: 35. Brian Opondo, 16. Geoffrey Gitau, 40. Wilson Anekeya, 14. Stephen Obukui, 15. Hillary Shirao,
Coach: Anthony Akhulia
Bookings
Nairobi City Stars: 3. Charles Otieno (24-yellow), 32. Azizi Okaka (32-yellow), 4. Salim Abdalla (74-yellow, 90+ – red)
Bidco United: 30. Anthony Simasi (62-yellow), 1. Zamu Adisa (70-yellow), Coach Anthony Akhulia (88-red), 12. Lambert Oyuga (90+ – Red)
Substitute Rodgers Okuse Okumu, signed from Coast Stima in the offseason, completed an Ezekiel Odera layup in the 87th minute for City Stars to complete a double over Nzoia having beaten them 2-0 at the same venue last year.
The win that set a record of straight wins in the top flight excited coach Sanjin Alagic who missed the game as he had had to travel back to Bosnia to receive a second coronavirus jab.
His able assistant John Amboko stepped up to his shoes and delivered.
“I congratulate my players and coaches for new victory, a fifth consecutive win which is a new record for NCS. I am pleased things are going good,” said Sanjin
He was however quick to point out that with back-to-back games, celebrations are already over and it’s time to focus on the next set of games.
“We don’t have time to enjoy our success. Matches are played every 3-5 days, so we must stay focused and dedicated to our job,”
“Every upcoming match will be even tougher so any type of relaxing is forbidden,”
We have an amazing run and I want to continue with the victories, match by match, starting from the next one, Wazito. We are ready.” he concluded
— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) June 27, 2021
Previously, City Stars’ best record of wins – four on the trot – was back in 2006, 2008, and 2012, under coaches Robert Matano, John Bobby Ogola, and Gideon Ochieng, in that order.
With the record of five wins in his hands, Sanjin can now focus on the next game against Wazito set for Ruaraka grounds on Wednesday 30 June 2021 starting at 1 pm.
A late 87th-minute goal by substitute Rodgers Okuse Okumu is all Nairobi City Stars needed to stop a fighting Nzoia Sugar 1-0 at Narok Stadium on Friday 25 June 2021 to move up a spot from sixth to fifth in the 17-team log.
— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) June 25, 2021
The win set a new club record of five straight wins in the top flight bettering three other occasions where the team had registered four straight wins back in 2006, 2008, and 2012.
Within the first ten minutes, City Stars had two shots at goal by Peter Opiyo and skipper Anthony Muki Kimani. While the first went out, the second went straight to Nzoia keeper Humphrey Katasi.
Within the same span, Nzoia had two chances of their own but Felicien Okanda’s shot off a freekick by Elvis Ronnack went straight to City Stars keeper Steve Njunge, and one by Denis Wanjala, off the first corner of the game, flew just beyond the far post.
Within the next 14 minutes, it was more of Nzoia on City Stars but they wasted a freekick by Kevin Maliachi, saw a flicked header by veteran Philip Muchuma fly wide, and perhaps the best of all; Felicien firing over when within the penalty area after receiving a perfect cross.
The tide then changed towards the close of the first half where City Stars were guilty of wasting sumptuous crosses, a freekick and throw-in from left-back Bolton Omwenga who was facing his former employers, as well as two freekicks from good range by Muki.
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) June 25, 2021
Simba wa Nairobi had back-to-back corners just before the breather, but there was nothing to show for both.
Onto the next stanza, Nzoia made a double sub to add punch upfront; Daniel Wafula and speedster Gaetan Mosha coming on for James Kibande and skipper Peter Gin. Moments later City Stars responded by ushering in pocket rocket Okuse for Oliver Maloba.
18 minutes into the second half, Nzoia should have been 1-0 up but a ping pong ball in the City Stars area failed to get a connection
Inside four minutes after that near-miss, City Stars were on the other end but a shot off the box by Muki went wide.
A minute later, Okuse sneaked into the box to receive a defense splitting pass from Opiyo, rounded the keeper, and within yards of goal fired at goal only for the ball to rise above the crossbar.
Sub Wafula then had a long pile driver on 75 minutes but his direction was off, the ball sailing wide.
Nzoia were to then add Hillary Simiyu to the mix, in place of Muchuma, as City Stars brought on Erick Ombija and Ezekiel Odera for Muki and the most marked man Nicholas Kipkirui.
And with three minutes to time, the subs on the day proved the difference as Okuse pounced on an Odera layup, off a Kevin Okumu – Opiyo – Davis Agesa buildup, to score the lone goal of the game and hand City Stars all spoils on the road.
The game ended not too long after with stopper Wycliffe Otieno joining the party for an injured Opiyo.
With the latest triumph in Narok, City Stars confirmed a double this season over Nzoia, whom they beat 2-0 at the same venue in the season opener in November 2020.
While Okuse was the hero in Narok, Sven Yidah was picked as the Most Valuable Player for his midfield control.
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From Narok Stadium here comes our Man of the match
— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) June 25, 2021
Up next for City Stars is a home game against Wazito to be held in Ruaraka on Wednesday 30 June 2021 starting 1 pm.
Lineups
Nzoia Sugar FC:15. Humphrey Katasi (GK), 25. Dennis Wanjala, 6. Gabriel Wandera, 22. Elvis Ronack, 27. Kevin Maliachi, 13. Kevin Juma, 4. Peter Gin-Captain (3. Gaetan Masha-59), 32. Leonard Kasembeli, 18. James Kibande (12.Daniel Wafula-59), 33. Philip Muchuma (14. Hillary Simiyu-77) 20. Felicien Okanda
Unused subs: 39. Benson Mangála (GK), 28. Randy Bakari, 5. Ian Karani, 24. Ian Simiyu, 10. Cliff Kasuti
Coach: Ibrahim Shikanda (Head coach)
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 26. Bolton Omwenga, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 19. Kevin Okumu, 18. Sven Yidah, 10. Peter Opiyo (22. Wycliffe Otieno-90+), 30. Anthony Kimani (24. Erick Ombija-80), 21. Oliver Maloba (7. Rodgers Okumu-59), 11. Davis Agesa, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui
Unused Subs: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 8. Calvin Masawa, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 3. Charles Otieno, 5. Wesley Onguso, 12. Edwin Buliba, 27. Azizi Okaka, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth
Coach: John Amboko (for Sanjin Alagic)
Yellow cards
Nzoia United: 33. Philip Muchuma-68, 13. Kevin Juma-82
City Stars: None
City Stars players celebrate a long goal by Rodgers Okumu that earned a 1-0 win over Nzoia United at Narok Stadium on Fri 25 June 2021City Stars left back Bolton Omwenga taking on Nzoia United right back Kevin Maliach during a round 21 premier league game in Narok on Fri 25 June 2021. City Stars won it 1-0Elvis Ronack eyes the ball on Nicholas Kipkirui’s during a Nzoia United – Nairobi City Stars game at Narok Stdium on Fri 25 June 2021. City Stars won it 1-0
That happened to be the second, and last time, that City Stars hosted Homeboyz.
During the first ever Nairobi encounter, back in May 2013, City Stars won it 1-0 at Hope Centre. Club legend Justus Basweti scored the lone goal.
The Saturday game, at a whole new venue – Ruaraka, City Stars will be host Homeboyz for only the third time.
Heading to the game, City Stars sits eighth in the 17-team standings with 26 points from 19 games, and only ahead of ninth placed Homeboyz with a +1 goal difference.
Bosnian Sanjin Alagic will be up against Muyoti once again, this time to turn the tables and replicate, if not better the 2013 results.
In City Stars squad for the Saturday game are three players who were on the pitch on the day of relegation in 2016; Ezekiel Odera, Oliver Maloba, and Calvin Masawa.
The skipper on relegation day – John Amboko, as well as his co-stopper Arthur Museve, are part of the current City Stars technical bench in the capacities of coach and trainer, respectively.
Summary
KPL home Games vs Homeboyz: Total (2); Wins (1), Draws (0), Loses (1)
25-May-13: City Stars vs Homeboyz, 1-0 (W)
30-Oct-16: City Stars vs Homeboyz, 1-3 (L)
19-Jun-21: City Stars vs Homeboyz, ?
